Purdue Football: New Faces to Know – WR Xavier Townsend
Purdue landed a three-tool playmaker from Iowa State with the help of his former Offensive Coordinator at UCF.
Aug 30, 2025; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Xavier Townsend (4) runs away from South Dakota Coyotes defensive back RJ Stewart (25) at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images | Reese Strickland-Imagn Images #3 – Xavier Townsend * Note: Click on the above link for his Official Purdue Roster Bio Bio Position: Wide Receiver Height: 5’11” Weight: 195 Age: 22 Hometown: Tamp, Fl Recruiting Class: 2022 Former Teams: UCF, Iowa State Transfer Portal Rankings: 3*(87) – National Rank: 860 – Wide Receiver Rank: 130 Eligibility Remaining : 1 Season – RS Senior Purdue started off 2026 with a bang when they landed Iowa State transfer wide receiver Xavier Townsend from the portal on January 11th. Purdue will be the 5’10”, 195-pound Tampa, Florida native’s third stop after beginning his career in 2022 at the University of Central Florida.
He played two seasons for the Knights before opting out after four games to preserve his redshirt and hitting the portal. He played the 2025 season at Iowa State and went looking for a new home after appearing in 10 games, with one start, for the Cyclones. Townsend was rated as a high 3*(87) prospect according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, coming out of Berkeley Prep High School in Tampa.
He had listed offers from Michigan, Indiana, Vandy, Iowa State, and Louisville, but decided to stay home and play for UCF. After leaving Iowa State and entering the portal, he took visits to Florida State, Missouri, and Notre Dame before signing with Purdue. High School Career Townsend was an electric playmaker at Tampa’s Berkeley Prep, totaling 4,959 all-purpose yards and 63 touchdowns over his four-year prep career, including 2,830 rushing yards and 43 touchdowns, and 1,235 receiving yards with 18 touchdowns.
He threw in two punt return touchdowns for good measure. View Link View Link College Career 2022: UCF – Freshman Games Played: 14 Starts: 1 Receptions: 23 Yards: 127 Rushing Attempts: 5 Yads: 27 Rushing Touchdowns: 1 Punt Returns: 19 Punt Return Average: 9. 3 Yards Awards: Phil Steele Third Team All-AAC Punt Returner 2023: UCF – Sophomore Games Played: 11 Starts: 10 Receptions: 33 Yards: 325 Receiving Touchdowns: 3 Rushing Attempts: 15 Yads: 163 Punt Returns: 15 Punt Return Average: 9.
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